Over the years, U.S. avalanche incident statistics have become skewed toward fatalities. That is because fatalities are reported, while nonfatal incidents or close calls often are not. Also, little information is available regarding how many recreationists visit the backcountry at any given time. Therefore, the exact incident rate is not known. Still, statistics can help us.

The data suggests that the number of avalanche fatalities is continuing to increase, but not as rapidly as the popularity of backcountry snow sports and the availability of avalanche safety education. This data indicates that avalanche safety education may be having a positive effect, but that improvements still are necessary.

For instance, incident reports strongly indicate that getting caught in an avalanche is rarely an accident. Incidents most often are the product of multiple flawed decisions that fly in the face of easily observed and recognized danger clues. Furthermore, those in the increasing proportion of people caught and killed in avalanches have had at least some basic avalanche safety education. Even professional guides, patrollers, and avalanche forecasters are not immune. This suggests that avalanche education is being used by some to narrow their margins of safety by intentionally taking greater risks.

In response, the avalanche education community, including the NSP, is placing greater emphasis on the psychology of decision making in the face of known, as well as unknown, risk.

Most avalanche education providers in the United States focus on individual recreationists, how they can enjoy their sport safely, and how companions can provide an immediate rescue response if someone is caught. The NSP also provides this kind of training, but the heart of its avalanche education program is to train professional rescuers (paid and volunteer) to participate in organized avalanche rescue operations.

Rescuers also must make safety decisions, both individually and collectively, during rescue operations, but they face different pressures, constraints, options, and skill requirements than recreationists. Team structure and decision making are more formalized. The NSP program is unique in this respect, born from avalanche rescue training for U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service snow rangers and ski patrollers in the 1950s and under continuous development ever since.

NSP Avalanche Program

Documentation indicates that about half of avalanche fatalities involve people who have not had any avalanche safety education at all. In addition, recreationists put themselves at risk despite experience, obvious danger indicators, advisories, and even their own trip plans, in which they had taken dangers into account. Education is the key to reducing avalanche fatalities.

The American Avalanche Association has developed recommended standards for avalanche education for recreationists in the United States. The NSP Avalanche program uses these standards as a baseline for curriculum content.

Avalanche Awarenessand Level 1 Avalanche courses: “Level 1” is an American Avalanche Association designation for “fundamentals” courses, which constitute the minimum education recommended for recreationists who may be exposed to avalanche terrain.

Introduction to Avalanche Safety: Rescue course for patrollers who have a general interest in the subject but, due to their location, are unlikely to encounter actual avalanche terrain.

External pressure to respond immediately without taking time to properly assess the situation

Subjecting rescuers to unfamiliar terrain

Dealing with the fact that, because an avalanche incident occurred, avalanche danger must be assumed to be at least “Considerable,” if not higher

No alternative destination and few alternative routes

Personnel burdened with rescue equipment

Standardized rescue management under the Incident Command System

Mechanized transportation, including helicopter safety

As with all NSP education programs, NSP avalanche curricula undergo continuous evaluation and updates to reflect current and the most reliable research and practices. Certified instructors undergo rigorous development, performance evaluation, and continuing education. These instructors develop lessons that are consistent with NSP Avalanche Program standards, yet are customized for their audiences and geography. These features make the NSP program’s quality and scope second to none.

* Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery
charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling
and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options,
features and models subject to change without notice.

** EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary.

Subaru has the utmost respect for the environment and is a proud partner of Leave
No Trace. Care was taken not to harm the environment when taking this photo.

iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.; Brembo is a registered trademark of Freni Brembo S.p.A.; Alcantara is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A and Alcantara is produced by Toray Group.; TORSEN is a registered trademark of JTEKT Corporation.; BBS is a registered trademark of BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.; HomeLink is a registered trademark of Prince Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls.; Aha and Harman Kardon are a registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Inc.; Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; HD Radio is a registered trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.; Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc.; SiriusXM and SiriusXM NavTraffic are registered trademarks of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Inc.; iHeart is a registered trademark of Clear Channel.

PLEASE REVIEW THESE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES.
Subaru of America, Inc. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice
or obligation to the information contained on this Internet site, prices, incentive programs,
specifications, equipment, colors, materials, product illustrations and to change or
discontinue models. All prices are based upon Manufacturer's Suggested Retail
Prices (""MSRP"") in U.S. dollars (unless otherwise indicated) and exclude taxes,
title fees, licensing, options and destination charges unless specifically included.
Retailers are independent businesses and are free to set their own retail prices.
All information contained at this Internet site is intended for the USA market only.